What is Earth Day and why is it celebrated today, 22 April?
Earth Day is celebrated on April 22 to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote conservation. The event was first observed in 1970, sparked by a massive oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969.
The first Earth Day was celebrated on April 22, 1970, by over 20 million people in the United States. It was conceived by Senator Gaylord Nelson from Wisconsin, who was inspired by a massive oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969. Nelson enlisted the help of Representative Pete McCloskey and activist Denis Hayes to organize a nationwide environmental teach-in. The event was a success, with around 10% of the US population participating. Earth Day has since grown into an international event, with over 1 billion people participating each year in 193 countries. The event was influenced by earlier environmental disasters and publications, such as Rachel Carson's Silent Spring in 1962 and the Cuyahoga River fire in 1969.
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